USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > History of Rochester and Monroe county, New York, from the earliest historic times to the beginning of 1907, Vol. II > Part 31
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fruit-grower here for many years, but is now liv- ing retired and makes his home with his children and step-children, being now with Mrs. Davis, who is a step-daughter. There were four children boru to Mr. and Mrs. Elliott: Frank, who is resid- ing in Kendall, Canada; James A., who is living in Spokane, Washington; Margaret, who resides with Mrs. Davis; and Nettie, who died at the age of twenty-five years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Davis has been born a son, Albert Arthur, whose birth occurred in 1894, and who is now attending school.
After studying law with different attorneys of Rochester, Mr. Davis, in October, 1887, entered upon the practice of law, forming a partnership with one of his old classmates of the university, George Herbert Smith, who is now a very promi- nent attorney here. Mr. Davis continued in the general practice of law throughout his remaining days, but his life's labors were ended on the 7th of December, 1894. He also had valuable proper- ty interests, inheriting from his father and mother a large estate which demanded much of his time and attention in its supervision. He took an ac- tive interest in politics, was a supporter of the re- publican party and always stood for loyal and progressive citizenship. He attended the Congre- gational church, while Mrs. Davis is a member of the Episcopal church. She owns a nice home at No. 507 West avenue, together with other val- uable property in the county, having been left in very comfortable circumstances by her husband. Albert A. Davis was throughout his entire life a . man worthy of sincere respect and regard, and in his death Rochester lost one of its valued citi- zens.
WILLIAM C. ALTPETER.
William C. Altpeter, one of Rochester's leading piano dealers, was born in this city, June 28, 1860, his parents being Christian and Louisa Altpeter, who were natives of Germany and came to Amer- ica in 1840, settling in Rochester, where the fam- ily home has since been maintained. The father, who was a cabinet-maker by trade and followed that pursuit throughout his entire life, died in 1893. The mother is still living here.
William C. Altpeter acquired his education in the public and German schools of Rochester and from an early age manifested marked musical tal- ent. He pursued a vocal course in the Grand Con- servatory of New York and developed an excellent basso voice. He sang in Tristan and Martha in old Chickering Hall at New York, but was not inclined toward an operatic career. His nat- ural taste and talent, however, along musical lines
W. C. ALTPETER.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
has shaped his business course. While in New York he was in the employ of Decker Brothers, piano manufacturers of that city, as a tuner and was later employed by George Steck & Company as an expert tuner. After a few years devoted to that work he returned to Rochester and established himself in the retail piano business, in which he has been very successful, now representing many of the leading manufacturers of this coun- try, among whom are George Steck & Company, Hallett & Davis, and Krell & Company, whom he has represented for the past twenty-five years. He is also connected with various other business and financial enterprises. It is an uncommonly accepted fact that a person of highly artistic tem- perament seldom becomes a successful business man. Mr. Altpeter, however, is certainly an ex- ception to this rule, as in the development of his mercantile industry he has gained a goodly meas- ure of prosperity, while at the same time he is recognized as one of the leading factors in the musical life of Rochester.
On the 28th of February, 1889, occurred the marriage of Mr. Altpeter and Miss Margaretha Wehle, a daughter of Casper Wehle, an old re- tired citizen of Rochester. He belongs to Germania lodge, F. & A. M .; Germania lodge of Perfec- tion ; Cyrene commandery, K. T .; and Damascus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is likewise con- nected with the Rochester Maennerchor Society. He has always been a student of the art of music, finding his greatest pleasure in this way, while his well developed native talents make him a favorite wherever vocal music is enjoyed.
IRVING S. ROBESON.
Honored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in indus- trial and manufacturing circles than Irving S. Robeson, not only by reason of the success he has attained but also owing to the straightforward, honorable business policy he has ever followed. It is true that he entered upon a business already established but many a man of less resolute spirit and firm purpose would have utterly failed in carrying this forward. He has, on the contrary, enlarged and extended its scope, his record prov- ing that success is not a matter of genius as held by some but is rather the result of good judgment, experience and unabating industry. He stands today as president of the Robeson Cutlery Com- pany and treasurer of the Rochester Stamping Company.
Mr. Robeson was born in Franklinville, Cat- taraugus county, New York, July 29, 1872. His father, Millard F. Robeson, was for many years a
commercial traveler and then availing himself of what he believed to be a favorable opening for a successful business enterprise he became the foun- der of the industry which is now conducted under the name of the Robeson Cutlery Company, man- ufacturing all kinds of table and pocket knives and a variety of other cutlery. The business was established on a safe basis and he entered upon an era of substantial development, which has made it in the course of years a profitable, productive industry.
Irving S. Robeson was educated in the schools of Elmira, New York, passing through successive grades until he completed the high-school course by graduation. He then went upon the road, act- ing as a traveling salesman for six years as a representative of his father's house, after which he took charge of the manufacturing department of the business for the Robeson Cutlery Company. Previous to this time the company had done only a jobbing business but now a factory was established at Camillus, New York, where Irving S. Robeson remained for two years, placing the plant upon a good working basis. On the expiration of that period the business was removed to Perry, New York, and he remained in charge of the manu- facturing department until the 1st of March, 1905. He then came to Rochester, where he assumed the management of the manufacturing department for the Rochester Stamping Company, retaining the same position with the Robeson Cutlery Com- pany, and devoting his time between Rochester and the plant at Perry, New York. These two firms in their allied interests did a business in 1906 amounting to a million and a half dollars. Irving S. Robeson is associated with his brother in his commercial and manufacturing interests and both are splendid young business men, now in control of one of the largest industries of Roches- ter. They manufacture an immense line of goods from the most beautiful and costly gold lined tea sets and other silverware and all kinds of cutlery to wash boilers, buckets, etc.
In the year 1894 Irving S. Robeson was mar- ried to Miss Anna Davies, of Wheeling, West Vir- ginia, and they have two children, Fillmore K. and Stacy B., aged respectively ten and six years. Mr. Robeson is a member of Frank R. Lawrence lodge, No. 797, A. F. & A. M., of Rochester; Wyoming chapter, No. 181, R. A. M .; Monroe commandery, No. 12, K. T .; Rochester consistory, S. P. R. S .; Damascus temple. A. A. O. N. M. S .; and the Masonic Club. His name is also on the membership rolls of the Oak Hill Country Club, the Genesee Golf Club and the Rochester Club. He likewise belongs to the First Baptist church and in politics is an independent republican. The family home is at No. 13 Arnold Park. His varied interests as manifest in his church, social, club and business relations all indicate him to be
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
a man of well rounded character, and in citizen- ship he stands for that progress which places the public good before personal aggrandizement.
THE IRONDEQUOIT WINE COMPANY.
The Irondequoit Wine Company, doing busi- ness at Irondequoit, New York, with a constantly increasing patronage, had its beginning in Steu- ben county, New York, in 1832, and there con- tinued to operate until 1867, when the business was purchased by Mr. McBride, who conducted it individually until 1899. On the 1st of January of that year the Irondequoit Wine Company was formed and the business was carried on as a co- partnership until the 1st of July, 1906, with the following partners: A. D. McBride, E. L. Mc- Bride, George L. Chase, Thomas J. Golden, C. F. Hulbert, Byron M. Hyde, Oscar Smith and F. A. Miller.
The Irondequoit Wine Company was incorpor- ated July 1, 1906, under the law of the state of New York, with the following officers: A. D. Mc- Bride, president; W. S. Titus, secretary and treas- urer; and Oscar Smith, superintendent, while in connection with these gentlemen there are found on the list of directors the names of George L. Chase, Thomas J. Golden, Byron M. Hyde and H. C. F. Hulbert.
The company was incorporated for two hun- dred thousand dollars. The plant consists of fifty acres of vineyard in Irondequoit, where they make a specialty of the raising of Oporto grapes --- a French variety- from which they manufacture the Irondequoit port wine. They also have a distillery at their plant in Irondequoit for the manufacture of brandies. They likewise own fifty acres of vineyard at Canandaigua Lake, where are planted various kinds of grapes, and in connec- tion they have there an extensive and strictly modern wine cellar. The company manufactures all kinds of high-grade wines, including port, sherry, catawba, claret, tokay, brandy, blackberry brandy, blackberry wine, blackberry cordial, an- geliea, muscatel and beef, iron and wine (wine of pomelo or grape fruit, with beef and iron). The trade of the company is handled exclusively by druggists through the United States and they em- ploy five traveling salesmen throughout the year. During the last ten years the business of the company has increased from forty to one hundred and twenty thousand dollars-which is due en- tirely to the superior quality of goods and proper management. This company not only uses its en- tire production from one hundred thousand acres of vineyard but purchases annually about six hun-
dred tons of grapes from other sources. All wines when put upon the market are from three to seven years of age, which adds greatly to their quality. All goods are marketed in bulk and bottles, but they are giving the preference to the latter meth- ods of handling their product. . The excellence of their output and their careful management of the business has brought to the company the high de- gree of success which they are now enjoying. This is the oldest wine house in America and the busi- ness has been marked by a steady and healthful growth as well as by continuous improvement of the products sent out. There are now found in control men of excellent business ability and broad experience and the house sustains a most enviable reputation for its business methods as well as its products.
ROBERT G. HOLDEN.
Robert G. Holden, cashier for James Cunning- ham, Son & Company, of Rochester, New York, was born at Ashford, Cattaraugus county, this state, July 7, 1866, his parents being George and Betsy (Murphy) Holden. His father, still a resi- dent of Springville, New York, was a son of Rob- crt Holden, who removed from Vermont to the Empire state, settling at Hemlock Lake, while later he became a resident of Cattaraugus county. The mother was a daughter of Ormel Murphy, who came from Connecticut to this state and took up his abode at West Valley, Cattaraugus county.
Upon the old homestead farm in his native county Robert G. Holden remained to the age of sixteen years, when the father removed with his family to Springville, Erie county, New York. His education was acquired in the district school of. Ashford and the high school at Springville. Early in his business career he went to Kansas, where in 1886 he was employed on the survey of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad from Atchison, Kansas, to El Paso, Texas. The fol- lowing year he returned to Springville, New York, where he seeured employment with Clair Brothers, cheese manufacturers, acting as book- keeper for that house for four years. On the ex- piration of that period, in 1891, he went to New York city, where he entered the branch office of James Cunningham, Son & Company, carriage and hearse manufacturers. He continued in the metropolis for four years, gaining a good knowl- edge of the business. his efficieney inereasing to such an extent that in 1904 he was transferred to the home office at Rochester, where he has also served in various capacities, being at the present time cashier. That he is one of the most trusted as well as capable representatives of the house is
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
indicated by the fact that his connection therewith covers seventeen consecutive years.
On the 12th of March, 1886, Robert G. Holden was married to Miss May M. Ellis, a daughter of John Ellis, a farmer and an old resident of Spring- ville. They now have five children, Hazel D., Harold G., Helen M., Ellis S. and Louis A. M.
Mr. Holden has attained high rank in Masonry and is a past master of Rochester lodge, No. 660, F. & A. M., and a past monarch of Lalla Rookh Grotto, No. 3, M. O. U. P. E. R. He is likewise a member of Rochester consistory, S. P. R. S., and Rochester tent, No. 80, K. O. T. M. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he holds membership in the First Presbyterian church. He has won a wide acquaintance during the four years of his residence in Rochester and his genuine worth has gained him favorable recogni- tion in business, social and fraternal circles.
ALFRED WRIGHT.
Alfred Wright, distinguished for a long period as a business man and public-spirited citizen of Rochester, was born in Avon, Livingston county. New York, November 6, 1830, and was educated in the public schools and in Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima. He became a resident of Rochester in 1850, just before reaching his ma- jority, and resided here until his death, which occurred January 18, 1891. On arriving here he engaged in the hardware business on the pres- ent site of the Monroe County Savings Bank, re- tiring from that in a few years. In 1866 he be- gan the study and manufacture of perfumery, in which he ultimately became one of the foremost manufacturers in America, his factory on West avenue and Willowbank place being the most per- fectly appointed plant of the kind in any country.
As an evidence of his versatility and great inter- est in the welfare of this city, it is only necessary to say that he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Rochester Park commission, trustee of the Mechanics Savings Bank, director of the Commercial Bank, trustee of the Rochester Elec- tric Light Company, City Hospital, Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, vice president of the Humane Society, chairman for eight years of the Republi can Business Men's Committee, president of the board of trustees of the Brick church. and a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. Although he could not be induced to hold a political office, Mr. Wright took a deep interest in political affairs and was a trusted counselor and friend of the re- publican party.
He was liberal in support of institutions and objects that met with bis approval, but his great
charities were concealed from the world as much as possible. In private life his wide experience of the world made him one of the most compan- ionable and entertaining of men. Surviving him are his widow and two sons, Alfred G. and John S. Wright, and two daughters, Marian H. Wright and Mrs. Roland C. Dryer.
RICHARD H. LANSING.
Richard H. Lansing, official court stenographer at Rochester, his native city, was born on the 1st of October, 1849. His father, William V. K. Lansing, was a native of Albany, New York, and after arriving at years of maturity was married in St. Paul's church in this city to Miss Caroline Brown, who was born in New York city and came to Rochester about 1835. Mr. Lansing ar- lived here soon afterward and for a number of years he was connected with the Bronson lumber business. He held the positions of supervisor and other local offices and was active and influen- tial in community affairs. He died in the year 1888 and is still survived by Mrs. Lansing. They were the parents of four children : William R., of Rochester ; Richard H. ; Charles V. K., also of this city : and Florence L., the wife of Henry Osgood of New York city.
Richard H. Lansing was educated in the public schools, in the Pierce Military School and in Sat- terlee Collegiate Institute. He afterward turned lis attention to commercial interests, but in 1868 entered the law office of the late Hon. James L. Angle, afterward justice of the supreme court. He pursned a thorough course of reading and was admitted to the bar in June, 1873, at Buffalo, New York. He entered upon professional work as managing clerk for Judge Angle, with whom he remained for several years, and in connection with his practice and other office duties he took up the study of stenography. For a few years he re- ported a number of references and important trials, and, demonstrating his ability in this di- rection, was appointed by the late Hon. William C. Rowley, county judge, as official stenographer of the county court in 1881. He has held this of- fice up to the present time, covering a period of twenty-six consecutive years, and no higher testi- monial could be given of his capability than his long retention in office.
Mr. Lansing is equally prominent and well known in the musical circles of the city. En- dowed by nature with superior musical talent, which he has cultivated by broad study, he has conducted some large choruses and choirs and played in some of the leading orchestras in Roch-
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
ester and other cities. He is one of the officers of the Symphony Orchestra at the present time and has done much to promote musical culture in Mon- roe county.
Mr. Lansing also belongs to the Genesee Valley Club and to Rochester lodge, No. 660, A. F. & .A. M., of which he is a life member. He is one of the board of managers of the Rochester His- iorical Society and is numbered among the old- est native sons of the city, having for almost six decades resided here. With its interests he has been thoroughly identified, manifesting a public- spirited devotion in all that pertains to the gen- ral welfare and the upbuilding of Rochester along material, intellectual and art lines.
GEORGE ELBERT BARKER.
George Elbert Barker, conducting a successful and growing business under the name of the Roch- ester Roofing & Heating Company, and dating his residence in this city since 1891, was born in Harrington, Delaware, on the 22d of October, 1875. He was educated in the public schools of his native town while spending his boyhood days under the parental roof. His father, Robert C. Barker, was at that time a farmer by occupation, but in 1891 came to Rochester and at the present writing is engaged in the real-estate business here. His mother, Mrs. Alice M. Barker, is also living.
George E. Barker was a youth of sixteen when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Monroe county and soon afterward he became a factor in the business life of the city through his acceptance of a position in the hardware store of H. F. Seymour at No. 23 Main street East. He remained in that business for eight years, on the expiration of which period he invested the capital that he had acquired through his industry and capable management in a business of his own, which he organized under the name of the Rochester Roofing & Heating Company. He has since con -. tinued in this line, manufacturing furnace fit- tings and supplies and also making and placing roofs of various kinds. The excellence of his work and his promptness and reliability in the execu- tion of a contract have secured for him a liberal patronage and the business has met with a sub- stantial and gratifying growth.
Mr. Barker was married to Miss Harriet A. Whitbeck, of Rochester, a daughter of Peter B. and Augusta Whitbeck, the latter still living. Mr. and Mrs. Barker have one daughter. He is a mem- ber of no fraternal organizations, but holds mem- bership in the Central church and is deeply inter- ested in the Alling class in that church. He co- operates in the various movements and plans for
the growth and development of the church and his labors in this respect have been effective and beneficial. He is also president of the Rochester Bowling Company and treasurer of the Genesee Realty Company. His political views are in ac- cordance with the principles of the republican party. The position and success to which he has attained in the business world is due to the exer- cise of his innate talents, prompted by laudable ambition, and his record for efficiency in work and for reliability in his dealings is a most enviable one.
HENRY F. MARKS.
Henry F. Marks is regarded as one of the strong and rising bankers of the city and is today con- nected with financial circles as cashier of the Traders National Bank of Rochester and vice president of the Rochester Securities Company. He was born in this city, November 2, 1865, be- ing one of a family of five children whose parents were Henry D. and Lovina A. (Harrison) Marks. The father was born in Canaan, Columbia county, New York, and is the oldest representative in the United States in his line of business-that of photo materials, having been continuously con- nected with such an enterprise for forty-seven years. Both he and his wife still reside in Roches- ter, of which city Mrs. Marks is a native. Only two of their children are living, the daughter Alice D. being still at home.
Henry F. Marks at the usual age became a stu- dent in No. 6 school and Free Academy of Roches- ter and without educational advantages other than those of the public schools he started in business life, accepting a minor position in the Traders National Bank on the 12th of April, 1881. He was ambitious, early recognized the fact that en- terprise and diligence are the safest. elements upon which to base advancement, and by accuracy and promptness in the discharge of all the duties that devolved upon him he gradually worked his way upward through various departments of the bank to his present responsible position as cashier, to which he was called on the 8th of January, 1907. He had previously been assistant cashier for three years. Systematic and methodical, with a mind trained to quickly note details and to give to each its true relative value, he has proved an able officer in the extensive financial enterprise which he represents. He is also vice president of the Rochester Securities Company and is accorded a measure of respect and admiration seldom given to one of his years in banking circles.
Mr. Marks was married in 1895 to Miss Char- lotte Bemis, a daughter of Frank Bemis, of Rochester, and they have two children, Charles F.,
G. E. BARKER.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
aged eleven years ; and Henry B., three years old. The family occupy a pleasant home at No. 10 Gorsline street. They attend the Episcopal church and Mr. Marks, who is fond of all manly, athletic sports, is a member of the Columbia Rifle Club. In politics he is a republican. His friends number many who have known him from boyhood, as well as acquaintances of later years.
WILLIAM M. KIPP.
William M. Kipp, secretary and assistant treas- urer of the Lake Ontario Wine Company, was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on the 7th of August, 1878, his parents being Michael and Lena (Hell- mann) Kipp, of whose family of three children William M. alone survives. The parents were na- tives of Germany. They came to the United States in early life and were residents of Bridge- port, Connecticut, prior to their marriage. The father learned the brewer's trade in Germany and was identified with the brewing industry in this country up to the time of his retirement from ac- tive business life, being proprietor and owner of the brewery at Waterbury, Connecticut, for a num- ber of years. Having obtained a very gratifying competence. he is now living in New Haven, Con- necticut, in the enjoyment of many of the com- forts of life without recourse to further labor.
When a youth of twelve years William M. Kipp accompanied his parents on their return to Ger- many, where they remained for eight years and it was during that period that he served an appren- ticeship to the brewer's trade. He returned to the United States in 1898 and secured a position in one of the breweries of Hartford, Connecticut, while later he was employed as brewer in the New England Brewery of Hartford, remaining in that responsible and important position for five years. In August, 1906, he removed to Rochester and be- came a stockholder, secretary and assistant treas- urer of the Lake Ontario Wine Company, with which he is now connected in that manner. A quarter of a century ago a small vineyard was planted on the shores of Lake Ontario by J. P. Fetzner and this constituted the beginning of the present extensive business of the Lake Ontario Wine Company. In 1897, owing to the steadily increasing production and output, the business was re-organized under the name of the Lake On- tario Wine Company, which was incorporated in 1901 with an authorized capital stock of one hun- dred and fifty thousand dollars. Today the com- pany owns hundreds of acres of the finest vine- vards where at first only a few acres were planted. Their output finds a ready sale and it was the
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